How to Wash a Sherpa Blanket

So how to wash a sherpa blanket? Washing a Sherpa blanket is often seen as an intimidating task. After all, this particular type of blanket has a special, faux-fur material that can be easily damaged if not handled with proper care. However, it is possible to keep your Sherpa blanket clean and soft if you know the proper techniques and follow the care instructions provided by the manufacturer. So do you know how to wash a sherpa blanket materials correctly?

Fortunately, with the correct cleaning steps in mind, you can ensure that your Sherpa blanket looks and feels great for years to come.

*This post contains affiliate links. Full disclosure here.

What is a Sherpa Blanket

A Sherpa blanket typically has two contrasting textures on each side, one that resembles fluffy sheep’s wool and the other a smooth knit. Designed to resemble traditional Sherpa clothing, this fleece resembles that once worn by the people of Nepal. Generally, sherpa blankets are made up of a polyester blend of other fabrics (or feature polyester fibers) and provide superior warmth due to the fine, brushed fibers which trap body heat. The lightweight design sherpa blankets provide usually come in at only 2 pounds, making it an incredibly cozy choice for any bedroom or living space.

Sherpa blankets come in a variety of styles and colors, making it easy to find one that can compliment any decorating preference. They feature a softness and snuggle unlike any type of fleece or other type of comforter, with many people claiming it is the most plush fleece available. Most sherpa throws even include a third material on the middle layer for extra insulation and added warmth – perfect for chilly winter nights! One thing is for certain: no matter what type of sherpa blanket you choose, you are sure to be enveloped in comfort and coziness every time you wrap up in one!

How To Wash a Sherpa Blanket?

Using cool water or a delicate cycle in your washer, is the recommended way to wash a sherpa blanket. Using the delicate cycle or hand washing reduces friction on the synthetic fibers. Pills can form on the surface of your favorite sherpa blanket as a result of this friction.

The fleecy side of the fabric should be treated with care by using only dye- and scent-free detergents to maintain it’s fluffy texture.

It is possible for a delicate blanket like a sherpa throw to be damaged by high heat, harsh chemicals, and prolonged friction. Normal dryer settings should never be used on most sherpa blankets. The sherpa fabric might scorch, melt, or become irreversibly matted under these circumstances. And let’s be honest; no one wants a matted sherpa blanket!

Pretreatments

Pretreating stains before you wash a sherpa blanket is the best way to remove them. It’s a good idea to avoid using stain removers that contain bleach or other harmful chemicals.

Only simple household ingredients are used in the two best methods!

Dish soap works well for non-oily stains.

Use a clean paper towel to blot the stain. If the stain is still wet, this will absorb any excess moisture. Your paper towel should only be gently patted against the blanket, not rubbed!
To remove the stain, apply a few drops of dish soap. Let the soap settle into the fibers once more by gently patting it with another clean paper towel.
Cool, running water should be used to rinse the stained area.
Drying may cause this area to flatten and become matted. Not a problem! By running a cycle in your washing machine after the pretreatment, you can fix this.

Using cornstarch or baby powder to soak up oily stains may be more effective.

Using a paper towel, blot the stain. This step can be skipped if the stain appears dried in!
Apply cornstarch or baking soda lightly to the stain’s surface. To completely cover a stain, you only need a little bit.
Rub the powder gently onto the fabric surface with your fingers.
Overnight, allow the dry powder to sit.
The loose powder can be sucked up with a small vacuum cleaner with a nozzle. You can also shake the fleece blanket over your bathtub if you don’t have one handy.
Lastly, you can wash your sherpa fleece blanket in a washing machine by following the guidelines below.

Washing machine with sherpa blanket in it

Machine Wash

It won’t take you long to figure out how to wash a sherpa throw blanket once you’ve learned how! During this process, your blanket should be guarded against possible damage from the elements.

Use a delicate cycle or gentle cycle on your washing machine. There may also be a ‘permanent press’ setting on your machine, depending on its model. If any event, use the cool water wash cycle to wash a sherpa blanket.
You can also choose cold water if possible.
Do not add any clothing or bedding to the washing machine with the blanket. When your blanket is stuffed full of extra bulk in the washing machine, it will create more friction, thus producing lots of tiny, irritating pills! The color could also bleed onto the blanket from non-dye fast items.
Use a liquid gentle detergent that is easy on the skin. It is not advisable to use a fabric softener on synthetic fibers as this may cause matting. It is also not a good idea to use powdered detergent, as it may stick to the blanket rather than dissolve. A mild detergent is best.
Let the laundry machine run through its delicate washing machine cycle once it is turned on to wash a sherpa blanket.

Machine washing requires cold water, which is an essential element. You should avoid using heat on throw blankets because it can damage them. Make sure you use a mild laundry detergent with no add-ins, such as fabric softeners or bleach.

Hand Wash

It may be enjoyable to hand wash a sherpa throw if you have space and time! You can protect your fluffy blanket with this process, though it takes a bit more effort.

Using a clean bathtub, a large washbasin, or your kitchen sink, fill the container with cold water. The fleece blanket could be damaged by hot or warm water.
In the cold water, submerge the sherpa blanket. It helps if you swish it around a bit with your fingers to get the fabric wet from the inside out.
The water should be diluted with a few drops of a gentle detergent. Make soapy foam out of the soapy water by stirring it with your hands.
Push the sherpa blankets folds through the water with both hands at this point to ensure that all fabric is exposed to the soap. Avoid squeezing or rubbing the fluffy blanket too much. Tugging it gently through the water should do the trick.
Drain the water out. It’s time to tackle the heavy, waterlogged sherpa blanket! Remove as much water as you can by lifting up the sherpa blanket and gently pressing it between your hands.
The following steps will guide you through the drying process for fleece blankets!

How to Dry

Drying your sherpa fleece blanket outside in the fresh air is the best way to dry it! If you have a clothesline, hang it on it outside and let it air dry! Use plastic clothespins to hold the fleece tightly, as wooden ones might snag. This will help keep sherpa blankets soft.

You can also opt to have your cuddly sherpa blanket draped over a clothes rack or even the backs of several folding chairs if you don’t have a clothesline. For a last resort, you can let it dry over your shower curtain rod.

Putting your blanket in the dryer is a safe alternative if you’re in a hurry or don’t have room to air dry it. You should use the tumble-dry setting when drying. In this setting, no heat will be applied.

Fleece can be severely damaged by high heat, as you are now aware.

How To Wash A Sherpa Jacket

Sherpa jackets can be successfully washed by turning them inside out before using only cold water. Never hot water!

Depending on whether you want to wash your jacket by hand or by machine, you can follow the steps described earlier. It’s just a matter of turning it inside out first. If you do this, it will not snag while washing.

You should also use a mild detergent to wash sherpa. It’s one of the great things about sherpa jackets that they are water resistant, but strong chemicals can strip away that protection.

You can fluff your jacket after air drying by brushing it if it looks worn and flat after the wash.

Precautions For Real Wool Sherpas

There are a few extra precautions to keep in mind if you’re working with natural materials found in real sheep’s wool sherpa blankets. Remember these when it’s time to wash a sherpa blanket made of real wool.

Using plain seltzer or cool water, you can wash away stains from these blankets.
You can buy wool-specific laundry detergent online. Remember, only non chlorine bleach!
If you prefer, you can dry clean wool to maintain it’s “sheep’s fleece like feel.”
Before washing real wool products, read the label!
You should stick to hand-washing your real wool Sherpa blanket to keep it in perfect condition. Or if you use the machine, run on the gentle wash and rinse cycle. After laying flat, let it air dry, or air fluff or tumble dry in a machine.
For an extra soft material and fluffy fleece throw, hang it up in a steamy bathroom.

How to Fix Matting and Pilling

Simple brushing can bring new life to your old, tired matted sherpa blankets! This is the best way to fix matted sherpa.

A boar hair brush, available at cosmetic stores or old-fashioned stores, will produce the best results. Strings that are matted down will be fluffed up quickly with the stiff bristles, keeping your sherpa blanket soft.
1. The blanket should be spread out carefully on top of the living room floor. Don’t forget to vacuum first!
2. Cut away any clumps or loose threads sticking up from your new throw using sharp scissors to get a smooth finish.
3. With a quick brush, it’s easier to fluff up the throw.
4. In the event that you do not see good results, it is recommended that you mist the fleece with cool water and then brush it.
Sherpa fabric needs to be brushed regularly to maintain its softness. As well as maintaining fluffiness, it also adds a luxurious feel to fleecy fibers and a pilled sherpa jacket. This way you can keep your best sherpa blanket soft.

How To Get Stains Off Of A Sherpa Blanket

Dishwashing liquid such as dawn can be applied to greasy or oily stains.

As an alternative, you can apply baby powder and gently rub it in to leave overnight.

It should remove unwanted marks and smell great since cornstarch soaks up any residue.

Performing spot treatments on stubborn stains is fine because of the water-resistant (DWR) coating.

The affected area only needs a tiny amount of gentle detergent (chemical, dye, and fragrance-free) applied and left for a few minutes, then hand-washed. Cold water, warm water, or both can be used.

blond woman cuddling with white sherpa blanket

How Do I Keep My Sherpa Soft And Fluffy?

You can make a blanket soft again and ready for cold weather by using gentle products at low temperatures.

Avoid using a fabric softener. Here’s what you can do instead to wash sherpa fabric:

To the wash cycle, add half a cup of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate).
To the rinse cycle, add half a cup of white vinegar.

Vinegar won’t leave behind scent. Rather than leaving extra build-up and residue on the fibers, it will remove it. This results in a blanket that is exceptionally soft and fluffy.

If you want to restore the softness of your blanket, tumble dry it on low heat with wool dryer balls and don’t iron it so the fabric sustains it’s plush texture.